Brown Trout fishing at Butt Valley Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 25 to 60 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 32 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is after dark and early morning. A spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) covers the summer program.

Rainbow Trout fishing at Butt Valley Reservoir

In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 8 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 32 ft, rated prime for winter rainbow trout. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Butt Valley Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 18 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Brown Bullhead fishing at Butt Valley Reservoir

Start shallow in spring: brown bullhead sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for brown bullhead in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.

Common Carp fishing at Butt Valley Reservoir

Spring common carp on Butt Valley Reservoir hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 3 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.

How deep is Butt Valley Reservoir?

Butt Valley Reservoir is about 70 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Butt Valley Reservoir?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, common carp, brown trout, brown bullhead on Butt Valley Reservoir.

Where is the best fishing spot on Butt Valley Reservoir?

Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Butt Valley Reservoir?

For brown trout, the summer bite is best in after dark and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.